Supporting means for apparel



Jan. 10, 1939. A, FRIDQLPH 2,143,815

SUPPORTING MEANS FOR APPAREL Original Filed Sefat. 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Shet l lgzlz rinoR M 771% 1 ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1939.

A. FRIDOLPH 2,143,815

SUPPORTING MEANS FOR APPAREL Original Filed Sept. 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Shet 2 I I s 1| .INVENTORY f I i ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR APPAREL Application September 10, 1930, Serial No. 480,908 Renewed December 13, 1934 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in supporting means for apparel and the principal object of the invention is to provide such means which may be used in connection with garters, shoulder straps, suspenders, and similar accessories so as to provide adjustable means for supporting articles of wearing apparel which may be permanently attached or detachably connected to various articles.

In articles such as above described at present in use,'the supporters are usually fastened permanently to the garment and the adjustments are provided by means of metal buckles which have a tendency to become loose and to wear, and which are frequently uncomfortable to the wearer and also cause injury to the wearer. This invention provides an article of this character in which all of these disadvantages are overcome and in which various adjustments are readily provided for and in which the attachment may be made quickly and readily.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of this invention and it is to be expressly understood that various changes in structure may be made in practice without digressing from my inventive ideas as defined in the appended claim.

In the drawings- Figure 1 represents a front view of a supporting element in the form of a garter using a wide web and a spread connection for the fastening elements.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the same.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a supporting means in the form of a garter utilizing a comparatively narrow web with a narrow end construction for the fastening means.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the same.

Figure 5 represents an outside elevation of a garment such as a corset, girdle and the like with a garter supporting element connected thereto; this form showing both the detachable and adjustable connection.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 varying in detail only.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 in which the supporting element is permanently attached to the garment at one end and adjustably connected at the other end.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the adaptation of the construction to an inner belt garment.

Figure 9 is a view of a supporting element in nection being adjustable.

Figure 12 is a view showing the supporting element in the form of a shoulder strap, suspender or the like having a direct connection to a garment.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12, the connection to the garment being adjustable; and

Figures 14 and 15 are views of constructions 15 similar to Figures 12 and l3except that a different form of connecting means is used, that is, loops instead of button-holes or slits.

The constructions shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive will first be described as, generally speaking, these constructions are similar showing adjustable and detachable garters. In Figures 1 and 2 the numeral I designates the body of the garter which is preferably in the form of an elastic web. To one end is secured a cross head connecting element 2 by means of a suitable tape, web or other flexible non-elastic connection 3. This connecting element may take numerous other forms which may be threaded through or passed into an eyelet, button-hole, slit or the like. To the other end of the web I a similar fastening element or cross head member 4 is connected by means of a tape or other suitable flexible connection 5. The Web or body of the garter is preferably formed or provided with a plurality of eyelets 6 extending at spaced intervals through the length thereof, and in the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2 these eyelets may be located along a medial longitudinal line and within the spaced longitudinal beads or ridges 1 formed in the fabric 'of the web when woven. The lower end of the web is adapted to be passed through the loop 8 of a suitable clasp 9 and then the cross head member 4 threaded or passed through one of the eyelets or apertures 6, depending upon the length of garter desired. Of course, the cross head is lessin thickness than the size of the eyelet or opening which being formed in the elastic material of the body, may be stretched to accommodate the cross head 4. 0n the other hand the cross head is of sufficient length so as to afford shoulders to engage the other side of the fabric Web and prevent the release of the connection by withdrawal of the cross head through the opening or aperture. Due to the length of the connecting means the cross head l may be readily pulled far enough and then threaded back through the opening to disengage the connection between the cross head and the web. It is to be noted that there is provided here a very simple construction for providing an attachable supporter in the form of a garter and which is adjustable to various length at any time and under any conditions whatsoever. The garter may be permanently attached to various garments if desired, and the supporting element 9 may be readily disconnected and removed for any purpose whatsoever.

The construction shown in Figures 3 and 4' is essentially the same as that just described except that the'body portion it is formed of a web substantially narrower than that shown in Figures l and 2. The flexible non-elastic connecting means it for the cross head fastening means E2 may be in the form of either a double or a single ply or thickness of material.

In the constructions shown in Figures 5 and 6, part of a corset, girdle or other similar garment I3 is shown. The garment may be of elastic or part elastic and part non-elastic; for instance, the part as may be elastic and the insert or gore l5 may be non-elastic. This insert or gore is provided with a plurality of eyelets or holes l6 which are adapted to receive the cross bar fastening means ll secured by flexible non-elastic connecting means 58 to the ends of the body of the supporting element or garter i9. This element is constructed substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2 except that the intermediate eyelets may be omitted. The clasp 28 is provided with a loop 2i through which the web or body is of the garter freely passes and slides, and due to this free sliding connection and the pivotal connection aiforded between the ends of the garter i9 and the garment by the cross bar fastening means, a free pivotal swing is always afforded resulting in great comfort to the wearer and lack of wear and tear on the garments. Furthermore, the connecting means are small and thin and their use results in the elimination of discomfort and injury to the wearer.

The construction shown Figure 6 is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 5 except that the narrow web garter is utilized and that button-holes 22 are provided in the garment instead of the eyelets E6. Otherwise the same considerations and advantages apply to this construction.

The construction shown in Figure '7 is quite similar to that shown in Figure However, one end of the garter is permanently attached to the garment as at 23, but the other end of the garter is detachable from the garment and adjustable with respect thereto so as to vary the length of the garter by the same means and in the same manner as shown and described in Figure 6. In Figure 8, part of an inner belt garment 24 is shown. This garment has the inner belt portion 25 and is designed primarily for use by stout persons. The supporting element or garter 25 is permanently attached toone part of the garment as at 2'! and has its other end provided with the cross head fastening means adapted to be. passed through the eyelets or apertures 29 in the inner belt portion of the garment.

The other garters illustrated herein may be pere manently attached to the garments in this same way or may be provided with various kinds of fastening or connecting means.

In Figure 9 is shown a simple garter construction having the clasp element 30 secured to its lower end and a cross head fastening means 3| connected by a flexible web to its upper end. The garment to which the garter is to be adjustably attached is provided with a plurality of buttonholes 32.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a supporting member in the form of a shoulder strap shown as being connected to an over-all construction. Part of the garment is designated 33 and it is provided with the metallic eye 3t through which is passed one end of the shoulder strap or suspender 35. This end is provided with the cross head fastening means 36 which'passes through the button-hole 3'? formed in the Suspender or shoulder strap. A plurality of these button-holes may be provided as shown in Figure 11 to give adjustment for length.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a similar structure applicable to various kinds of garments. In these figures the numeral 35 designates a shoulder strap having the cross head fastening means 39 secured at one end and adapted to be passed through the button-hole 50 formed in the garment. As shown in Figure iii a plurality of such button-holes may be provided to give adjustment for length.

Another alternative is shown in Figures 14 and 15 where instead 0: using button-holes as, loop members at are secured to the garment and adapted to receive the cross head fastening means 52 which is secured to the end of the shoulder strap or suspender 53. In the event adjustment for length is desired, a plurality of loops ii may be provided as shown in Figure 15.

It is seen that the use of these various constructions results in the elimination of certain devices such as the usual buckles. These are expensive and have a tendency to become broken or damaged and bent and also cause considerable discomfort to the wearer. They have a tendency to rust and discolor the material of the garments and supporting elements. The constructions illustrated and described here eliminate the use of such devices and provide much more simple and efiective media for accomplishing not only the same result but an improved result. Where there is substantial strain upon the garments, a free pivotal action is provided and when there is a relative change in the parts when in use, a free sliding action is permitted. Furthermore, the devices are readily adjustable as to length and also readily attachable and detachable.

It is to be expressly understood that throughout the specification and claim I have used the term garter or garter member in a broad sense as referring to supporters, suspenders and garters, and similar accessories for wearing apparel, and furthermore that this invention is applicable to belts and girdles and similar supporting means of various kinds.

It is to be understood that the cross bar fastening member may be connected to the supporting element in various ways only one of which is shown, that being the flexible, foldable connection exemplified at 3 and it of Figures 1 and 3 respectively. This cross head member may be connected to the supporting element by a rigid metallic member or by a flexible bendable metallic member or may be formed in one piece with an attaching means and still come within the purview of this invention as long as a cross head fastening means is utilized.

What I claim is:

In combination with a garment having an inner belt construction, a garter element connected at ing a loop through which the garter element is passed, said garter clasp being slidably mounted upon said garter element and thereby adjustable for length with respect to said garment.

ANNETTE FRIDOILPH.

CERTIFI GATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,1h5,8l5 January 10, 1959.

ANNETTE FRIDOLPlL It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, second column, line 55, after the word "flexible" insert non-elastic; page 2, first column, line 8, for "length" read lengths; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Officeo Signed and sealed this ll th day of March, A. D, 19 9 Henry Van Arsdale.

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents, 

